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Each type of injury claim follows its own rules, so the first step is knowing which kind of claim you have. Most of our work involves vehicle collisions, but we also represent people in the other practice areas below.
Collisions involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, buses, bicycles, pedestrians, and off-road vehicles make up most of our caseload. These claims usually involve two insurance tracks: your own insurer's accident benefits and a claim against the at-fault driver. How those tracks play out depends on the type of vehicle, who was at fault, and whose policy applies, which is why motor vehicle accidents involving a transport truck or an ATV can unfold very differently from a two-car collision.
For crashes on Halifax streets and highways, a car accident lawyer who knows local roads and the Section B claims process can help you deal with both insurers at once.
Property owners and businesses have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe. Under Nova Scotia's Occupiers' Liability Act, an occupier must take reasonable care so that people entering the property are reasonably safe while they're there.
Icy steps, wet floors, broken railings, and poor lighting are common causes of these claims. Whether a slip and fall leads to compensation usually comes down to what the occupier knew about the hazard and how quickly they should have fixed it.
A long-term disability claim is a claim under an insurance policy, usually through your workplace, rather than a claim against someone who caused an accident. Disputes often arise when an insurer denies benefits or cuts them off after a set period. Because these cases turn on the policy's wording and your medical evidence, long-term disability claims often hinge on showing how your condition keeps you from doing your own job, or any job, as the policy defines it.
Survivors of sexual assault can bring a civil claim for compensation, separate from any criminal case. In Nova Scotia, there is no limitation period for assault or battery claims based on sexual misconduct, so survivors can come forward when they are ready, although some related claims against organizations may still have deadlines. Many survivors worry about being named in court, and in sexual assault claims, a lawyer can ask the court to protect your identity and keep the process as private as possible.
A Nova Scotia personal injury claim moves through a series of stages, and most claims settle before reaching the last one. While every case is different, the process usually looks like this:
Court steps follow the Nova Scotia Civil Procedure Rules, which set out deadlines for filing and exchanging documents. Knowing which stage your claim has reached makes it easier to plan around your recovery and your finances.
Every personal injury claim has a deadline, and missing it can end your right to compensation. The table below summarizes the main time limits under Nova Scotia law.
| Type of Claim | General Deadline | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Most personal injury claims | Two years from when the claim is discovered | An outer limit of 15 years from the incident also applies |
| Claims after a death | 12 months from the date of death | Set by the Fatal Injuries Act |
| Assault or battery based on sexual misconduct | No limitation period | Applies even to claims that were time-barred before 2015 |
| Lawsuit over denied Section B benefits | One year from when the claim arose | Set by the standard auto policy conditions |
| Long-term disability | Varies | Depends on your policy and when it was issued |
| Injured children | Clock is paused | Time does not run while the claimant is under 19, including the 15-year outer limit |
The two-year rule comes from the Limitation of Actions Act, which starts the clock when you knew, or reasonably should have known, about your injury and who caused it. Car crash victims are often surprised by how long you have to sue after an accident, since the clock can start before the full extent of an injury is known. Because exceptions can shorten or extend these periods, it's safest to get advice well before any deadline.
Compensation in a Nova Scotia injury claim is meant to cover what the injury has cost you, both financially and personally. Depending on your case, you may be able to claim:
Some limits apply. For car accidents, the Automobile Accident Minor Injury Regulations cap pain and suffering for sprains, strains, and whiplash injuries that don't substantially limit your ability to work or manage daily life over the long term, as the regulations define it, and the 2026 cap is $10,862. The cap does not limit claims for lost income or expenses.
What you do in the first weeks after an injury can shape both your recovery and the strength of your claim. Whether you were hurt in a crash, a fall, or another incident, these steps help:
Evidence disappears quickly. Security footage is often recorded over within days, and vehicles get repaired, so contacting a lawyer early helps get your claim fully documented.
An injury can change your plans overnight, and the lawyer you choose should make the road ahead feel clearer, not harder. Here is what you can expect when you work with us:
We take the time to understand how your injury affects your work, your family, and your daily life, because that is what a fair settlement has to reflect. Results always depend on the facts of each case, and we'll give you an honest view of yours. You can book a free consultation with Wagners Law Firm by phone or through our website.
You don't need a lawyer to make a claim in Nova Scotia, but it helps to get advice before accepting an insurer's view that your injury is minor. The minor injury cap only applies to sprains, strains, and whiplash injuries that don't substantially limit your ability to work or manage daily life over the long term, as the regulations define it, and insurers and injured people often disagree about where an injury fits. A lawyer can review your medical evidence before you settle.
Yes, you can still recover compensation in Nova Scotia if you were partly at fault. Under the Contributory Negligence Act, responsibility is divided based on each person's share of fault, and your award is reduced by your share. For example, if you were found 25% at fault, you would receive 75% of your assessed damages.
Section A of a Nova Scotia auto insurance policy covers your legal liability if you injure someone else or damage their property, and the minimum required is $500,000. Your Section B coverage provides accident benefits to you and your passengers, such as medical expenses and income replacement, no matter who caused the crash. An injured person may receive Section B benefits and also claim against the at-fault driver's Section A coverage.
A discovery examination is a meeting where a person answers questions under oath from the other side's lawyer before trial in a Nova Scotia lawsuit. It usually takes place in a lawyer's office, not a courtroom, and a court reporter records what is said. Your lawyer prepares you ahead of time and attends with you.
If your long-term disability claim is denied in Nova Scotia, you can usually appeal internally with the insurer, sue the insurer, or both. Deadlines to sue an LTD insurer depend on your policy wording and when the policy was issued, and they can be shorter than people expect. Keep the denial letter and get advice quickly.
Yes, you may be able to make a claim if you slipped on ice at a store, restaurant, or other business in Nova Scotia. The claim depends on whether the occupier took reasonable steps to keep the property safe, such as clearing snow, salting walkways, or posting warnings. Photos of the conditions and the names of any witnesses are important evidence.
After an injury, it's normal to feel unsure about what comes next or whether your situation even counts as a claim. Wagners Law Firm helps people across Nova Scotia understand their rights and pursue fair compensation in all kinds of personal injury claims. Call us at 902-425-7330 or 1-800-465-8794, or reach out online to set up your free consultation.
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